This Thanksgiving the Salmons had one very big reason to give thanks. Tuesday morning may have been the single most frightening day of my life. I almost lost my baby.
Last week we headed down to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad, and his wonderful girlfriend, Helen. They had just purchased a new home with a pool. Before leaving I had expressed much concern about the pool and how safe it was for Anna. Dad assured me that the locks on the door were child-proofed and all would be okay.
Upon arriving we went through the rules with the girls several times. I was not too worried about E, as she can handle herself in the pool and had a level of respect for the water. Anna, on the other hand, is fearless, and absolutely loves the pool. I was on high alert, as some weird sixth sense was telling me that Anna was going to be involved in some sort of episode.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning- Mike had to fly to Colorado for two days so he was not there. We were hanging out in the family room that has a sliding glass door leading out to the pool. I quickly ran to the bathroom and both girls were inside. When I returned, they were both outside. After gathering them back inside I locked the door to be sure to keep them in the house. I grabbed my iPad that they had been watching and took it to the charger in the kitchen. Within 30 seconds, I turned around and Anna was gone. I asked E where her sister was, she said she didn't know. Then I saw that the sliding glass door was open. I ran outside and quickly panned the perimeter. I did not see her. I focused my eyes downward to see her floating in the pool... IN THE DEEP END! She was quietly mumbling "I want Momma. I want Momma" There were no screams, no big splashes, nothing. Luckily her head was above water, and she was actually able to hold onto the pool cover. I screamed what I think was her name and ran over and swooped her out of the pool. Helen heard my scream and came running and we both could not believe how fast this whole incident went down. Literally 30 seconds-- and she was in the pool. She was reaching for a toy that she had thrown into the water.
I am still replaying this incident over and over in my head and cannot believe how blessed we are that it happened the way it did. If the cover was not on, she would have been face down. If she had not been able to grab the cover, she would have been trapped under it, and I initially would have missed her. By the time we looked for her, it could have been too late.
I held that baby in my arms all day, and still find it hard to let her go. If Tuesday morning taught me anything, it is just how vigilant you have to be with children and water. It doesn't matter if it is a pool, a baby pool, or a bathtub. It can happen in a matter of seconds, and it can happen to anyone. The other thing that it assured me of, is that our guardian angel was watching over my baby that morning- Thanks again, Mom.
I am so relieved you are all home safe. I have tears in my eyes reading your post, because we see that same scenario all too often here in Florida. I can't tell you how glad I am that you were hyper-aware. Perhaps you could talk your dad into getting a pool fence--he wouldn't have to leave it up all the time if he doesn't want to, but put it up when the kids are coming. I won't even let my kids play at a house if they don't have a pool fence. Like Anna, Joel is totally fearless around water. He thinks he's almost seven, rather than just two. Sending you all lots of love.
ReplyDeleteHow terrifying for you as a Mom! Your post gave me chills. I'm so glad to hear that she is safe! It sounds like your guardian angel was definitely with you that day!
ReplyDeletewhat a terrifyingly simple thing to have happen. and in a matter of seconds. thank god you were so vigilant. i was tearing up reading this and hope you never have another moment like that with your kids.
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